Love relaxing background music? It’s not automatically forbidden — here’s a short, practical breakdown of when gentle music is considered acceptable and when scholars object.
Not every kind of song is deemed forbidden. Rather, music that is suitable for gatherings of frivolity and corruption is classified as prohibited; listening to songs that lack those characteristics or do not appear suspicious is generally not problematic.
Music, as one of the oldest and most pervasive arts, has long played an important role in human life. From antiquity to the present, people have turned to music to express emotion, for entertainment, and sometimes for spiritual consolation.
However, in today’s world many questions arise about whether listening to music is lawful (halal) or forbidden (haram). One genre that receives particular attention in Muslim communities is gentle, calming music. This article examines the ruling on listening to soft music from the standpoint of Islamic law and culture.
Gentle music refers to types of music characterized by calm tempos and soothing tones. This kind of music is typically used to create relaxation and relieve tension. It often employs simple but beautiful melodies and sometimes traditional instruments. Studying the psychological effects of soft music on people helps us better understand its ruling in Islam.
The Qur’an and the Sunnah contain a range of discussions about music and singing. Some religious scholars hold that music is generally impermissible, while others maintain that music can be lawful — particularly when it promotes goodness and moral values.
Many Islamic scholars believe that music can divert a person from worship and remembrance of God and therefore regard listening to it as harmful or forbidden. This view rests largely on certain traditions attributed to the Prophet and the Imams, which suggest that music can pave the way for corruption and moral deviation.
Conversely, some scholars argue that music can be permissible — especially if it carries positive, ethical content. This group emphasizes music’s beneficial effects on the soul and psychology and contends that gentle, calming music can soothe nerves and aid concentration.
Scientific research has shown that listening to mellow music can have several positive effects on mental health. These include:
Listening to soft music can help lower levels of stress and anxiety. Many people turn to calming music in moments of pressure to find relaxation.
Gentle music is often designed to support focus and creative thinking. Many students and professionals use it as a background while studying or working.
Studies indicate that listening to calming music before bedtime can improve sleep quality and help people fall asleep more easily.
One of the most important aspects of music is its content. If gentle music contains morally positive themes, it is more likely to be acceptable. Songs about friendship, love (in appropriate terms), hope and faith tend to be more broadly accepted.
Religious or devotional music — such as Sufi chants, spiritual hymns, and recitations set to melody — can strengthen faith and bring a listener closer to God. This genre is often used in religious gatherings and can have a deep impact on the spirit.
Non-religious gentle music may also be permissible, provided its themes are wholesome and it encourages virtuous behaviour. Such music can be used legitimately for relaxation and leisure.
Overall, the ruling on music in Islam is complex and contested. However, it can be said that gentle music with positive content is likely to be permissible. This kind of music can reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance sleep. Nonetheless, it is important to evaluate the content carefully and avoid morally inappropriate or unsuitable themes.
In the end, each individual should decide according to their own beliefs and principles, using music as a positive tool in life where appropriate.
